Desperate search for survivors continues after devastating earthquake in Pereira, Colombia

China

Desperate search for survivors continues after devastating earthquake in Pereira, Colombia

2026-08-15 16:31 Last Updated At：17:07

Rescuers in the city of Pereira, western Colombia continued their desperate efforts on Thursday to comb through the rubble left by Monday's devastating earthquake, seeking signs of possible life.

The 7.5-magnitude quake struck the region at 07:34 local time on Monday, completely collapsing the eight-story Dibeni Hotel, a landmark in Pereira. At the time of the disaster, 13 people were inside the hotel, and as of Wednesday, eight bodies had been recovered from the debris.

To enhance their search efforts, search and rescue teams requested silence beginning at 14:00 on Thursday, listening intently for faint sounds that might indicate survivors. They repeatedly called into the wreckage, holding their breath in hopes of detecting a response. Sniffer dogs were deployed to help locate any possible remaining trapped individuals.

In a second effort for absolute silence, rescuers instructed everyone on site to refrain from talking or moving, turning off all machinery. Despite these extensive measures, the search did not yield the hoped-for results.

The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) reported on Friday that the death toll from the earthquake has risen to 287, with 3,975 injuries. The UNGRD’s latest update said that the quake affected 15 departments and 437 municipalities, impacting 56,448 families and 135,179 people.

Additionally, 378 people remain unaccounted for, while 354 have been rescued. The earthquake caused damage to 238 health centers, 2,486 schools, 2,093 community centers, 254 roads, 87 aqueducts, 50 vehicular bridges, seven pedestrian bridges, and five airports.

Taiwan youth gain deeper insight into rural revitalization through summer activities in mainland

A group of young people from China's Taiwan region say they have gained a deeper understanding of rural revitalization through a series of summer vocation activities in the mainland city of Fuzhou which sits opposite the Taiwan island -- an experience they hope will boost confidence in starting up businesses in the mainland.

Through rural study tours and social practices, the Taiwan youth have visited renowned overseas Chinese hometowns in Fuzhou, such as Changle and Fuqing, where they see the new look of rural areas, learn about homestay operations, and take part in beachcombing.

"This is my first time visiting the beautiful Fuqing. Before I came, my impression of Fuqing was that it's a 'famous hometown of overseas Chinese.' But after coming here, I've discovered that its coastal scenery is quite impressive. It has also given me a completely new understanding of rural development and management," said Chen Weijie, a young visitor from Taiwan.

"Visiting the farms in person, we truly see the changes brought by rural revitalization. As a Taiwan youth starting up a business in Fuzhou, I believe there are plenty of opportunities in the countryside. I hope more young people from Taiwan can come and see the rural areas in the mainland by themselves, so that young people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait can exchange ideas and jointly explore new approaches to rural development, innovation and entrepreneurship," Qiu Shishu, an entrepreneur from Taiwan.

According to statistics, Taiwan compatriots made 2.85 million trips to the mainland in the first half of 2026, up 24.9 percent year on year, with young people accounting for a significant portion of the total.